The new artificial turf at Masich Place Stadium will get its first real workout tonight.
The UNBC Timberwolves open their Canada West soccer season with two games against Trinity Western University this weekend. The first game goes at 6 p.m. tonight and the second will be Saturday at 6 p.m.
“This is really important, especially in the division we are in,” said UNBC’s Josh McAvoy. “We have probably the toughest division in all of Canada, so there are a lot of really tough opponents who we have to prepare for. They have a really strong midfield, but it is definitely something we have worked on in training for the past couple weeks. We have to stick to the concepts we have been working on. We have definitely been preparing a lot with a new formation. As long as we stick to what we’ve been learning, we will be good.
“We have great facilities here in Prince George. With the Northern Sport centre up at the university, it gives us a chance to train when there is smoke, or snow. It is nice to change things up, come down here to another turf field, and we have a big stadium now, where we can get lots of fans.”
6th in Pacific Division Standings
1 Goal For
1 Goal Against
Goals Leader: Owen Stewart: 1 Goal
Assists Leader: Matt Jubinville: 1 Assist
Points Leader: Jubinville, Stewart: 1 Point
Saves Leader: Rob Goodey: 4 Saves
Player to Watch:
Gordon Hall, D
Coming off his second consecutive Canada West all-star nod, Hall is among the best defenders in the conference. The fifth-year centreback will have his hands full with a potent Spartans attack, but Hall tends to play his best in big situations.
3rd in Pacific Division Standings
8 Goals For
5 Goals Against
Goals Leader: Dom Poletto: 2 Goals
Assists Leader: Austin Kasian, Matthew Roxburgh: 2 Assists
Points Leader: Austin Kasian, Dom Poletto: 3 Points
Saves Leader: Sebastian Colyn: 4 Saves
Player to Watch:
Joel Waterman, M
The fifth-year midfielder is the straw that stirs the drink for the Spartans. Starting just six games last season due to injury, the Aldergrove product still managed to score five goals. Expect Waterman to attract plenty of attention from the TWolves, as shutting him down is crucial when game-planning against the Trinity Western side.
